Thailand: Economic Growth, Employment and Rural Development

Abstract At present Thailand’s economy is at the cross roads. Structural changes in production and employment are unavoidable if the country is to continue the successful development With both import substitution, which was the past pattern of industrialization, and area expansion, which was the main source of increased agricultural production, coming to an end, a reconsideration of policies becomes necessary. A new approach towards economic development is needed which includes employment promotion under its chief objectives. It is argued that only an overall employment-oriented development strategy can, in the long run, succeed in providing the additional job opportunities needed to avoid increasing open unemployment.